HOLLIDAYSBURG — A city woman accused of setting a hamper on fire in the attic of a residence in February pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony arson and related charges in exchange for a sentence that puts her on the path to be released from the Blair County Prison.

Rebecca Kay Grim, 31, has been in prison, unable to post $75,000 bail, since her arrest and arraignment on Feb. 6. She faced felony counts of arson – inhabited building or structure, arson – endangering property, risking catastrophe and criminal mischief, as well as misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges were waived to the Blair County Court of Common Pleas on Feb. 18.

Appearing for the plea hearing alongside First Assistant Public Defender John Siford, Grim pleaded guilty to single felony counts of arson – endangering property and criminal mischief and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

In exchange for her plea, Grim was sentenced by Judge Jackie Atherton Bernard to one month to five years less one day in the Blair County Prison. Grim received credit for time served and was therefore “subject to immediate parole.”

Bernard also ordered Grim to pay $5,000 in restitution to the residence’s owner, pay $250 in fines, complete a cognitive behavioral therapy course and undergo drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations.

The remaining charges against Grim were withdrawn and dismissed.

Prior to handing down Grim’s sentence, Bernard questioned her on the circumstances leading up to the arson.

When asked by Bernard if it was true that Grim requested crisis services once officers were on scene, Grim said yes and that she believed the incident occurred due, in part, to her deteriorating mental health at the time.

“This is very serious,” Bernard said. “This could have been very different for the people of your community, so we cannot have a repeat.”

Grim agreed and said she would now have help in getting her medication and getting to appointments.

Bernard also noted the discovery of drug paraphernalia on scene and reiterated that she did “not want a similar situation to occur.”

The charges were brought against Grim after an investigation into a dwelling fire along the 1200 block of Second Avenue on Feb. 2. The fire was reported to emergency services when a passerby saw smoke coming from the residence, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

While clearing the home, firefighters found Grim, visibly upset and sitting on the stairs. Firefighters were then able to quickly put out the fire but noted that the blaze had the potential to spread to nearby houses. Grim later admitted to starting the fire by igniting her wicker hamper in the home’s attic, the police report states.

Grim was taken to UPMC Altoona to be treated for smoke inhalation while officers continued investigating the scene. Police ultimately discovered evidence of drug paraphernalia in the attic, with more evidence of drug use being found in other parts of the residence. Fragments of a burnt wicker basket were also taken from the scene, the report states.

In their subsequent report, fire officials noted heavy fire damage in the attic and water damage in the home’s first and second floors as crews worked to extinguish the blaze.